Meet the Hard Working RREAL Staff!
Jason Edens – Founding Director
With the help of a small group of dedicated volunteers, Jason started RREAL in his basement and garage back in 2000. Under his leadership, RREAL has grown out of the basement and has performed over one hundred Solar Assistance installations and over fifty Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water installations. Jason holds his Masters in Environmental Studies from Bemidji State University. jason@rreal.org
BJ Allen – Operations Manager
BJ hol
ds a dual BS/BA degree from the University of San Diego in Electrical/ Electronics Engineering, with minors in Mathematics and Philosophy. Her fundraising efforts have brought in over $300,000 to RREAL and she was instrumental in the development of the Solar Powered Furnace. bj@rreal.org
Tim Ollhoff – Outreach and Development Coordinator
Tim holds an Masters in Social Work from the University of Minnesota Duluth and worked as a Program Manager for Lutheran Social Services for ten years before bringing his talents to RREAL. Tim served on the RREAL Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007 and as a VISTA from 2007 to 2009. These days, Tim is your go-to guy for anything dealer related. tim@rreal.org
Becky Grosskreutz – Operations Assistant
Before bringing her talents to RREAL, Becky worked for Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead, MN as an Administrative Assistant Specialist to the Facilities Director. Becky will work on customer relations, information management, bookkeeping, and helping to streamline our daily business operations. becky@rreal.org
Ben Kelchin – AmeriCorps VISTA, Engineering
Benjamin joined RREAL in 2009. After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2007 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he landed in Portland, OR where he observed the strides the city has made in public transportation and energy conversation. Time at RREAL for Ben will be spent looking into improving SPF installation techniques, manufacturing, and panel orientation efficiency. ben@rreal.org
Roger Garton – AmeriCorps VISTA, Engineering
Roger is a recent graduate from the University of Minnesota where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He started volunteering with RREAL at the beginning of 2010 and became a full time VISTA in April. While at RREAL, Roger will generate technical specifications on SPF panels and research alternative panel uses. roger@rreal.org
Sean Muller – AmeriCorps VISTA, R & D
After graduating with a degree in Biology and Chemistry in 2008, Sean moved to Portland, OR and began studying Renewable Energy Technologies and working with sustainable community development initiatives. Sean will be focusing on manufacturing improvements and new technologies to increase RREAL’s capacity to deliver solar power to more homes, both domestically and abroad. sean@rreal.org
Jeremiah Bestgen – SPF Manufacturing Shop Manager
Jeremiah has a background in cabinetmaking and construction. He has been with RREAL since 2008 and is now a proud papa! jeremiah@rreal.org
Heather Butcher – SPF Manufacturer
Heather’s background is in cabinet making and hanging, and when not working with RREAL, Heather is busy with a family of six. heather@rreal.org
Joel Lindstrom – Master Electrician
Joel Lindstrom is the person behind JoelT Electric, with whom RREAL contracts its electrical work. Joel is a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Certified Master Electrician, and an all around swell guy!